2012 Texas Water Safari

June 13, 2012 11:54 PM

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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House of Blues team members Lauren DeLouche (front) and Michael Simmons navigate a logjam by the Thomaston River Road bridge over the Guadalupe River south of Cuero, during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. The race started in San Marcos on Saturday and ends at Seadrift, by San Antonio Bay. The House of Blues started as a three-member team but by the bridge they were down to two. The third member Jeanette Burris became ill and was taken to an area hospital by her daughter, accoridng to a family team member. She was checked and released later. Competitors have until Wednesday to complete the 260-mile course.

House of Blues team members Lauren DeLouche (front) and Michael Simmons navigate a logjam by the Thomaston River Road bridge over the Guadalupe River south of Cuero, during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe

House of Blues team members Lauren DeLouche (front) and Michael... Photo-3067395.44452 - San Antonio Express-News

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Brad Ellis, 30 (front), and Ian Rolls, 34, paddle through Cottonseed Rapids in Martindale on Saturday morning, June 9, 2012, after the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari. Ellis died Monday, June 11, 2012 at San Antonio Military Medical Center in San Anotnio of complications due to hyponatremia, an electrolyte disturbance in the body. He was airlifted out of Gonzales County early Sunday morning after race officials were notified that Ellis was having problems. The 260-mile race dubbed the "World's Toughest Canoe Race" is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year. This is the first fatality in the 50-year history of the race.

Brad Ellis, 30 (front), and Ian Rolls, 34, paddle through Cottonseed Rapids in Martindale on Saturday morning, June 9, 2012, after the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari. Ellis died Monday, June 11, 2012 at

Brad Ellis, 30 (front), and Ian Rolls, 34, paddle through Cottonseed Rapids in Martindale on Saturday morning, June 9, 2012, after the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari. Ellis died Monday, June 11, 2012 at San Antonio Military Medical Center in San Anotnio of complications due to hyponatremia, an electrolyte disturbance in the body. He was airlifted out of Gonzales County early Sunday morning after race officials were notified that Ellis was having problems. The 260-mile race dubbed the "World's Toughest Canoe Race" is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year. This is the first fatality in the 50-year history of the race.

Brad Ellis, 30 (front), and Ian Rolls, 34, paddle through Cottonseed Rapids in Martindale on Saturday morning, June 9, 2012, after the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari. Ellis died Monday, June 11, 2012 at

Andrew Condie drags his canoe the last quarter-mile after getting out of the San Antonio Bay during the during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. Allowed by rules, Condie was able to cross the finish line with his craft and place 12th overall.

Andrew Condie drags his canoe the last quarter-mile after getting out of the San Antonio Bay during the during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. Allowed by rules, Condie was able to

Andrew Condie drags his canoe the last quarter-mile after getting... Photo-3067360.44452 - San Antonio Express-News

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Exhausted, Andrew Condie, of Cuero, takes a breather while dragging his canoe the last quarter-mile after getting out of the San Antonio Bay during the during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. Allowed by rules, Condie was able to cross the finish line with his craft and place 12th overall.

Exhausted, Andrew Condie, of Cuero, takes a breather while dragging his canoe the last quarter-mile after getting out of the San Antonio Bay during the during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday,

Exhausted, Andrew Condie, of Cuero, takes a breather while dragging his canoe the last quarter-mile after getting out of the San Antonio Bay during the during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. Allowed by rules, Condie was able to cross the finish line with his craft and place 12th overall.

Exhausted, Andrew Condie, of Cuero, takes a breather while dragging his canoe the last quarter-mile after getting out of the San Antonio Bay during the during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday,

Exhausted, Andrew Condie takes a breather while dragging his canoe the last quarter-mile after getting out of the San Antonio Bay during the during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. Allowed by rules, Condie was able to cross the finish line with his craft and place 12th overall.

Exhausted, Andrew Condie takes a breather while dragging his canoe the last quarter-mile after getting out of the San Antonio Bay during the during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012.

Bob Vincent, 69 (center), is helped onto a chair after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari in a two-man canoe, Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by the San Antonio Bay. Vincent and his partner, John Bugge, came in 11th overall. Helping Vincent are Chris Wheeler (left) and Dawn Bugge.

Bob Vincent, 69 (center), is helped onto a chair after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari in a two-man canoe, Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by

Amado Cruz (left) and Sam Ritchie celebrate their first place overall finish in the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race in Seadrift, Sunday, June 10, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift by the San Antonio Bay. The two were in a six-man canoe and crossed the finish line around 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Amado Cruz (left) and Sam Ritchie celebrate their first place overall finish in the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race in Seadrift, Sunday, June 10, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and

San Antonio Express-News reporter Colin McDonald takes a break at Checkpoint No. 10, 227 miles into the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by the San Antonio Bay. McDonald finished in 28th place overall.

San Antonio Express-News reporter Colin McDonald takes a break at Checkpoint No. 10, 227 miles into the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San

Jay Daniel gets a kiss from his wife and team captain, Kristin Daniel, after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race in Seadrift, Monday, June 11, 2012. The six-man canoe came in eighth place overall in the 262-mile race.

Jay Daniel gets a kiss from his wife and team captain, Kristin Daniel, after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race in Seadrift, Monday, June 11, 2012. The six-man canoe came in eighth place overall

Jay Daniel gets a kiss from his wife and team captain, Kristin... Photo-3067397.44452 - San Antonio Express-News

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Jay Daniel hugs teammate Chris Paddack after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by the San Antonio Bay. The six-man canoe team placed in eighth place overall. In back is team member Chris Stevenson.

Jay Daniel hugs teammate Chris Paddack after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by the San Antonio

Bob Vincent, 69 (center), gets help after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari in a two-men canoe, Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by the San Antonio Bay. Vincent and his partner, John Bugge came in 11th overall. Helping Vincent are Chris Wheeler (left) and Dawn Bugge.

Bob Vincent, 69 (center), gets help after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari in a two-men canoe, Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by the San

Members of the Forty Three team get their six-man canoe ouf of the water after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by the San Antonio Bay.

Members of the Forty Three team get their six-man canoe ouf of the water after finishing the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends

Members of the Forty Three team get their six-man canoe ouf of the... Photo-3067400.44452 - San Antonio Express-News

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Soloist Kyle Mynar gets off his canoe at the end of the 262-mile 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by the San Antonio Bay. Mynar was the first men's solo to cross the line and placed 10th place overall.

Soloist Kyle Mynar gets off his canoe at the end of the 262-mile 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race Monday, June 11, 2012. The race starts at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ends in Seadrift, by the San

John Bugge, 61, celebrates with an iced beer after finishing the... Photo-3067402.44452 - San Antonio Express-News

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After capsizing, Paddle24Seven team members walks to the finish line at Seadrift during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. The team finished in ninth place overall. Members are Mike Rendon (from left), Bobby Smart, Darryl Jiral, Karim Aziz and Scott Johnson.

After capsizing, Paddle24Seven team members walks to the finish line at Seadrift during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Monday, June 11, 2012. The team finished in ninth place overall. Members are Mike

After capsizing, Paddle24Seven team members walks to the finish... Photo-3067403.44452 - San Antonio Express-News

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Spectators, including family and friends, gather to watch as competitors arrived at the finish of the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race in Seadrift, Monday, June 11, 2012. The Forty Three six-man canoe team arrived and placed eighth overall in the 262 mile race.

Spectators, including family and friends, gather to watch as competitors arrived at the finish of the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race in Seadrift, Monday, June 11, 2012. The Forty Three six-man canoe team

Spectators, including family and friends, gather to watch as... Photo-3067404.44452 - San Antonio Express-News

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The leading canoe makes it to the last checkpoint at the Saltwater Barrier outside Tivoli during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Sunday, June 10, 2012. The 262-mile race started in San Marcos and ended at Seadrift by San Antonio Bay.

The leading canoe makes it to the last checkpoint at the Saltwater Barrier outside Tivoli during the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Sunday, June 10, 2012. The 262-mile race started in San Marcos and ended

The leading canoe makes it to the last checkpoint at the Saltwater... Photo-3067406.44452 - San Antonio Express-News

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Dodd Yeager cools off in the water as his brother, Coleman Yeager, refreshing his water supply at Checkpoint No. 8 of the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Sunday, June 10, 2012. The checkpoint is located near Cuero, at the 160 mile marker of the race.

Dodd Yeager cools off in the water as his brother, Coleman Yeager, refreshing his water supply at Checkpoint No. 8 of the 2012 Texas Water Safari canoe race, Sunday, June 10, 2012. The checkpoint is located

Volunteers Lee Wheelis (left) and Kent Metzler, of Luling, bow their heads in prayer during the 2012 Texas Water Safari awards ceremony at noon in Seadrift, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. A prayer for Brad Ellis, 30, was included during the event. Ellis died Monday afternoon after falling ill during the race early Sunday morning. He died of hyponatremia or low sodium in his system.

Volunteers Lee Wheelis (left) and Kent Metzler, of Luling, bow their heads in prayer during the 2012 Texas Water Safari awards ceremony at noon in Seadrift, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. A prayer for Brad Ellis,

Joy Emshoff (left) and Ginsie Stauss make a donation box for the family of Brad Ellis before the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari awards ceremony in Seadrift, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. A prayer for Brad Ellis, 30, was included during the event. Ellis died Monday afternoon after falling ill during the race early Sunday morning. He died of hyponatremia or low sodium in his system.

Joy Emshoff (left) and Ginsie Stauss make a donation box for the family of Brad Ellis before the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari awards ceremony in Seadrift, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. A prayer for Brad

Jason Rotan bows his head during a prayer at the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari awards ceremony in Seadrift, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. “This one is going to hurt,” he says. A prayer for Brad Ellis, 30, was included during the event. Ellis died Monday afternoon after falling ill during the race early Sunday morning. He died of hyponatremia or low sodium in his system.

Jason Rotan bows his head during a prayer at the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari awards ceremony in Seadrift, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. “This one is going to hurt,” he says. A prayer for Brad Ellis,

Jason Rotan bows his head during a prayer at the start of the 2012... Photo-3067411.44452 - San Antonio Express-News

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Flags fly at half-mast as team captain Tim O’Neill (front) and John Valdivia remove their canoe before the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari awards ceremony in Seadrift, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. The flags were lowered for Brad Ellis, 30, who died Monday afternoon after falling ill during the race early Sunday morning. He died of hyponatremia or low sodium in his system.

Flags fly at half-mast as team captain Tim O’Neill (front) and John Valdivia remove their canoe before the start of the 2012 Texas Water Safari awards ceremony in Seadrift, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. The flags